Jason Bateman Going 'Insane Laws' Route With Vince Vaughn

EXCLUSIVE: Universal Pictures is in early talks with Jason Bateman to star with Vince Vaughn in The Insane Laws, a comedy that will mark the feature directorial debut of screenwriter Jeremy Garelick. Universal picked up the project in March after Sony Pictures put it into turnaround. Neal Moritz and his Original Film banner is still producing it, and Vaughn has been eyeing it for some time. He and Garelick have been close since Garelick co-write the Vaughn-starrer The Break-Up. Garelick also did uncredited script work on The Hangover. The plan is for Bateman and Vaughn to play longtime best friends, who’ve shared everything, from college to the time both got married and had kids at the same time. Cut to when those kids are away at college, and, unbeknownst to their parents, falling in love. The best friend relationship is sorely tested when the daughter of Vaughn’s character gets pregnant. The actors just did a read-through of the material, and it could be in production by the fall. Studio is high on Bateman after he starred with Ryan Reynolds in the David Bobkin-directed role-changing comedy The Change-Up, which opens Aug. 5. CAA and 3 Arts rep Bateman, while UTAnd Principato-Young rep Garelick.

20 Comments

It’s a shame that Vince Vaughn made a decision six or eight years ago to only take slapstick comedy scripts. I thought he was great in “The Locusts” and “Swingers.”

Anonymous • on Jun 9, 2011 4:08 pm

So psyched to see these guys together again. They’re gonna destroy!

Josh • on Jun 9, 2011 4:09 pm

Great news. This movie sounds hilarious. I’ll be there on opening weekend.

Anonymous • on Jun 9, 2011 4:23 pm

Awesome casting. Jeremy is one of the best guys in the industry and I hope this film is a massive hit.

chloe • on Jun 9, 2011 4:37 pm

Dynamic duo. Can’t wait for this.

Red • on Jun 9, 2011 5:08 pm

Oh please, you cannot be for real. Jason Bateman in another 2-hander comedy? And with Vince Vaughn?? This formula is old and tired and will certainly fail. Bateman is beyond over exposed in this arena (and in general), he needs to give it a rest, take a step back and find something fresh. Seriously.

MM • on Jun 10, 2011 9:21 am

Yes, Bateman needs to take a break from this genre. The Change-Up may not fare as well as Universal would like. Is THE INSANE LAWS the best possible movie title? Probably not.

yesss • on Jun 9, 2011 6:25 pm

i read this script – it is nothing short of hilarious! so well-written and a lot of fun. great casting choices too!

writer • on Jun 9, 2011 9:37 pm

Jeremy is a good guy and the studio did recommend he get credit on Hangover (granted with Todd) and of course he’d jump at the opportunity to direct this movie…but if this happens, he’s about to go through fucking hell. Jeremy, go talk to Seth Gordon, or Brenner or Toby…and be prepared. I think he’ll make a great director, but this is sure to be a horrible experience.

Rick • on Jun 10, 2011 2:03 am

Really? Vaughn is that much of a p**ck?

Anonymous • on Jun 9, 2011 11:01 pm

Awesome project. Will be a fantastic movie.

Lord Wednesday Hovis • on Jun 10, 2011 2:00 am

As far as I am concerned Jason Bateman still has a free pass for having done AD – so if it makes him happy it’s fine by me.

A fan • on Jun 10, 2011 9:05 am

Jeremy wrote & directed a short called “Is This Your Mother?” and it was great!

oldie • on Jun 10, 2011 10:18 am

Wow. Vaughn and Bateman are lucky to work with a comedic genius the likes of Garelick. This film is destined for classic status.

Red • on Jun 10, 2011 11:21 am

Classic Status? “Oldie”, you are either Jeremy (or his agents) or an idiot, which one is it?

Anonymous • on Jun 10, 2011 11:22 am

Loved this script. The next Meet The Parents. Exciting casting choices for sure.

Anonymous • on Jun 10, 2011 12:06 pm

This is going to be phenomenal! I’ve known Jeremy for a long time. He is one of the funniest, creative, great guys I’ve ever met. This will be the first of many great films.

Old Friend • on Jun 10, 2011 12:38 pm

I’ve know Jeremy for a long time. He is one of the funniest, creative, great guys I’ve ever met. This will be the first of his many great films!

Big Fan. HUGE. • on Jun 10, 2011 1:45 pm

Bateman, Vaughn and the guy who REALLY wrote the only good Hangover? I am going to be in comedic heaven! Bring it on boys!

The Fawning Public • on Jun 11, 2011 10:03 am

The cinematic experience is, first and foremost, a visual experience. It will be important for Vince to lose some of the weight he has been packing on if he hopes to avoid distracting the audience from the script, no matter how well written, by continuous thoughts of “Wow, Vince Vaugh has let himself GO!”.